In fact McClaren has not changed his prime target this season, which is achieving a top six place.

The top six looks a few miles away at the moment, and the key to the manager's hopes rests on his squad remaining free from any further major injuries.

McClaren has problems to deal with in midfield, especially with Gaizka Mendieta having joined Ray Parlour and Stewart Downing on the injury list.

If more injuries come, then the going could become tough.

The cups are great but the Premiership remains the club's bread and butter, and Boro do not want to be looking over their shoulders this time next month.

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Learning a hard lesson>

Fabio Rochemback earned all the plaudits - including from Jose Mourinho - for his workmanlike performance at Chelsea.

Unfortunately the Brazilian discovered the other side of the coin at Liverpool.

His effort at Anfield failed to match the Chelsea one and he was lambasted, particularly by Sky's Andy Gray.

In fact the Scot was suggesting during the first half that Rochemback should be replaced at the interval.

It didn't happen, so let's hope the game will serve as another part of the midfielder's learning curve.

However, while Gaizka Mendieta is missing, Boro do need Rochemback to play well and be the main provider.

So it's important the learning curve reaches a successful conclusion in the very near future.

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Brad waits for call from Oz>

Brad Jones will be interested to see if any telling phone calls come his way in the next few weeks.

The 23-year-old Australian-born player could be an outside bet for the Aussies' third goalkeeper's place in their World Cup squad.

On the other hand, he could be attracted elsewhere.

There is speculation that different home associations have been investigating Brad's background, because he has a British passport.

However, being Aussie born and bred, and having already played in the Olympics for Australia's Under-23 side, no doubt Brad is hoping that the first call comes from Down Under.

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Time to offer new deal?>

It's great to see Chris Riggott prepared to commit his future to the Boro this week.

The hugely talented defender, who seems to have finally broken through on a permanent basis, is well aware of the stories linking him with interest at Liverpool.

There's never any smoke without fire. These stories can always be traced back to one justifiable source or another.

Boro enjoy seeing their players leave for Liverpool as much as they enjoy sticking needles in their eyes and would fight the possibility of this transfer ever taking place.

However, Riggott has allayed any fears, saying: "There's been a bit of speculation and yeah, it is flattering but at the end of the day I'm not interested in going anywhere.

"I've enjoyed my time here massively. I'm enjoying playing and long may it continue."

In answer to a pointed question, Riggott said he would be happy to discuss a new contract if it was offered.

Seems to be the best way to sort it out for once and all.

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Bennett brings bad luck>

Steve Bennett is not Boro's favourite ref at the moment - and for good reason.

His decision to send off Chris Riggott, not to mention allowing Liverpool's blatant offside goal, left a bit of a sour taste.

To make matters worse, Mr Bennett was the fellow who awarded the Riggott "own goal" at West Ham when the ball clearly had not crossed the line.

It would be grossly unfair to call Mr Bennett a homer, and to suggest that he was blinded by the bright lights of Anfield, but it would be reasonable for Steve McClaren to ask the FA if Boro could steer clear of the official for a while.

Mr Bennett is clearly an unlucky charm, if nothing else, because Boro have not scored a goal in their last four games which Mr Bennett has officiated. In fact, they lost all four, all of them away from home.

The Orpington official did, however, take charge of Boro's 2-0 storming win against Liverpool at the Riverside in November 2004, which was his last visit to the stadium.

All refs have good and bad games, like players, but it's a pity that Mr Bennett's performance at Liverpool did not match that of Mike Riley seven days earlier at Chelsea.

It was no misprint in the Evening Gazette. I did award Mr Riley ten out of ten.